You may be wondering when and where I proposed to my wife. Christmas 2005. I wanted it to be perfect.

I wanted it to be sort of private, but I also wanted my family to share in our celebration. I proposed just after opening Christmas presents, Christmas Eve, 2005 in Richfield, Minnesota. With the hustle & bustle of opening presents, chatting with the entire family, I dropped to my knee while she was sitting there in her chair. I remember vividly how the room went silent right around the time of Takako's answer. It was the best feeling of my life. I have been reeling ever since.